Mamaw’s Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Get cozy on a cold fall or winter’s night with this easy Southern chicken and dumplings recipe straight from the kitchen of a Southern grandma.

overhead shot of southern chicken and dumplings in a blue Dutch oven

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I was reared on the Southern chicken and dumplings of a lady named Ms. Dot, who was basically the community baby-sitter.  After I grew up, years went by and I snubbed my nose at plate after plate of chicken and dumplings because they simply did not match the culinary goodness of what I remember as a kid.  That is, until I met Mamaw.

Mamaw is my husband’s grandmother and she loves to feed people.  She takes offense if you show up at her house not hungry.  Back when The Husband was still just The Boyfriend, he decided things were getting serious enough between us to meet Mamaw.  When we met, she set a plate of chicken and dumplings down in front of me.  I just knew I probably wouldn’t like them, but there was no way I was going to break this little old lady’s heart by turning down her food.  So, I gingerly raised a fork to my lips and took a bite.

Mamaw sitting at her kitchen table cutting up chicken for her homemade chicken and dumplings.

Oh glorious rapture in heaven!  Finally, someone who knew how to make the Southern chicken and dumplings of my childhood!  Shortly after The Husband and I got married, I went to her house with the sole purpose of learning her recipe. Of course, there was no recipe.  It was “a little bit of this” and “a little bit of that.”  I watched, frantically jotted down notes, and listened to her stories of growing up on a farm in south Mississippi.  Later, I went home and made it again, this time writing down measurements, cooking times, and adding my own touches.

Make the Dumplings

I prefer my dumplings to be like thick, flat noodles. In order for them to keep their shape an hold up during cooking, they will need to try out for a few hours. I always make the dumplings first, then let them sit out at room temperature to “dry” while I cook the chicken and make the broth.

dumpling ingredients include self-rising flour, shortening and water

To make the dumplings, you’ll need two cups of self-rising flour, four tablespoons of shortening (like Crisco), and 1/3 cup of ice-cold water in a large mixing bowl. Mix the flour and shortening together,  breaking the shortening into smaller pieces, until you have small pea sized pieces of shortening mixed evenly throughout the flour.

Next, stir in 1/3 cup of ice-cold water. Start mixing until the dough comes together and pulls away from the side of the bowl. You may need to add additional water, but do so 1-2 tablespoons at a time to make sure you don’t add too much.

dumpling dough in a stainless steel mixing bowl

Turn the dumpling dough out onto a floured surface like a large cutting board. Knead the dough with your hands 2-3 times. Then flatten the dough out into a disk and start rolling it out until it’s about 1/8-inch thick. Then start cutting the dumplings into strips that measure 1-inch wide and about 2-inche long. I find it’s easiest to use a pizza cutter to do this, but a sharp knife will also get the job done. Once you’ve cut the dumplings, set them aside.

How to Freeze the Dumplings for Later

Uncooked dumplings freeze beautifully! Arrange your cut dumpling in a single layer on a foil lined baking sheet. Place the entire sheet on a flat surface in the freezer and leave them overnight or until the dumplings are frozen solid. Carefully place the frozen dumplings in a large freezer bag, squeeze out the air, seal the bag and place them back in the freezer. The dumplings can be frozen for up to three months.

Make the Chicken Broth

I like to use dark meat chicken, such as chicken thighs, because they have more flavor. Using a sharp knife, I remove and discard the skin from four large chicken thighs. I place them in a stock pot and cover them with eight cups of cold water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

chicken and dumpling ingredients include garlic powder, water and chicken pieces

Remove the chicken from the water and set aside to cool. Once the chicken is cool enough to touch, remove the meat from the bones and shred it.

Cook the Dumplings

Bring your broth to a simmer over medium to medium-low heat. Too rapid of a boil will quickly overcook your dumplings, so we want to start out slow. Add the dumplings, one at a time. Allow the dumplings to boil in the broth for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

hand dropping a dumpling into a stock pot full of dumplings

If you’re using previously frozen dumplings, I do find it’s better to cook them from their frozen state rather than thawing them. They tend to fall apart if thawed first. Follow the instructions above, but you will have to allow the dumplings to cook for just a little longer.

Add your cooked, shredded chicken to the pot along with one teaspoon of garlic powder. Cook for an additional five minutes until everything is heated through. Remove the pot from the burner and add salt and pepper if to taste. Allow the chicken and dumpling to set for 15 minutes before serving.

How to Reheat Leftover Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Leftover chicken and dumplings should be cooled completely before transferring them to an airtight container with a lid. Consume leftovers within four days. Because the dumplings will continue to soak up all the broth, you will need to add some additional chicken broth to reheat. Simply place the chicken and dumplings in a saucepan, add about one cup of chicken broth, and reheat over medium heat. Feel free to add more chicken broth if needed to reach your desired consistency.

I don’t recommend freezing chicken and dumplings once they’ve been cooked. The texture of the dumplings changes and they become grainy and mushy.

homemade southern chicken and dumplings sprinkled with black pepper and thyme in a blue bowl

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4.93 from 13 votes

Mamaw’s Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Get cozy on a cold fall or winter's night with this easy Southern chicken and dumplings recipe straight from the kitchen of a Southern grandma.
Course Entrees, Main Course
Cuisine American, Southern
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 339kcal
Author Lisa B.

Ingredients

For the dumplings:

  • 2 cups self-rising flour
  • 4 tablespoons shortening softened
  • 1/3 – 2/3 cups ice water

For the broth:

  • 4 large chicken thighs skin removed
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

For the Dumplings:

  • Mix the flour and shortening together,  breaking the shortening into smaller pieces, until you have small pea sized pieces of shortening mixed evenly throughout the flour.
  • Stir in 1/3 cup of the water. Start mixing until the dough comes together and pulls away from the side of the bowl. You may need to add additional water, but do so 1-2 tablespoons at a time.
  • Turn the dumpling dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough with your hands 2-3 times.
  • Flatten the dough out into a disk and start rolling it out until it’s about 1/8-inchthick.
  • Cut the dumplings into strips that measure 1-inch wide and about 2-inches long. Set them aside and let them dry at room temperature for two hours or up to four hours.

For the broth:

  • Place the chicken in a large stock pot. Cover with the water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and cook for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken from the pot and allow it to cool until you can handle it. Remove the chicken meat from the bone and shred the meat.
  • Reserve the broth.

To make the chicken and dumplings:

  • Bring the broth to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Add the dumplings one at a time. Cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the cooked shredded chicken and garlic powder. Cook for an additional five minutes until heated through.
  • Remove the chicken and dumplings from the heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Allow the chicken and dumplings to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

To Freeze Uncooked Dumplings:
Arrange your cut dumpling in a single layer on a foil lined baking sheet. Place the entire sheet on a flat surface in the freezer and leave them overnight or until the dumplings are frozen solid. Carefully place the frozen dumplings in a large freezer bag, squeeze out the air, seal the bag and place them back in the freezer. The dumplings can be frozen for up to three months. 
Cook the dumplings from their frozen state according to recipe directions. However, you will need to cook the dumplings 5-10 minutes longer.
To Reheat Leftovers:
Leftover chicken and dumplings should be cooled completely before transferring them to an airtight container with a lid. Consume leftovers within four days. Because the dumplings will continue to soak up all the broth, you will need to add some additional chicken broth to reheat. Simply place the chicken and dumplings in a saucepan, add about one cup of chicken broth, and reheat over medium heat. Feel free to add more chicken broth if needed to reach your desired consistency.
I don’t recommend freezing chicken and dumplings once they’ve been cooked. The texture of the dumplings changes and they become grainy and mushy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7.7g | Trans Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 817mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3.2g | Vitamin A: 3850IU | Vitamin C: 5.8mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 2.3mg

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127 Comments

  1. Where’s the dairy in this my mother always uses milk or cream or something I was trying to get my ingredients and find the closest to her recipe you were kind of look like it but I’m not seeing any milk or cream in yours

  2. 5 stars
    Looks just like my mother’s dumpling recipe . She didn’t put garlic in it though. I have never mastered making it but plan to use your good directions very soon. I don’t know if you remember Glinnis Williams our pastor’s wife ,at one time or not but she absolutely was the best at making dumplings!

  3. I’m so glad to hear this, Amy! I live in the Jackson area. My husband’s father’s side of the family lived in the Hattiesburg area and we lived in Hattiesburg after we got married. Small world!

  4. 5 stars
    Lovely, just the way my family makes it! Out of curiosity what part of South Mississippi? I live in Biloxi, previously grew up in Hattiesburg/Petal and my grandparents form Poplarville and Lumberton.

  5. Hi, Warna! Chicken an dumplings is a main dish. There are a lot of different variations, but in the southern United States it typically does not include vegetables.

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